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Sarah Polley Biography

Birth Place:
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Profession
Actor, director, screenwriter

Fast Facts

  • Made her big-screen debut with a bit part in the 1985 Disney movie One Magic Christmas
  • Began living on her own when she was 15; dropped out of high school during her senior year to devote more time to political activism
  • Went to high school with actor Scott Speedman, who played her husband in the 2003 drama My Life Without Me
  • After directing several acclaimed short films and studying at Toronto's Canadian Film Centre, helmed her first full-length movie, the award-winning Away From Her, in 2006
  • The political activist has been involved in such causes as public health, human rights, global trade and efforts to combat poverty
  • Battles government attempts to cut funding for artists in Canada

Awards

  • 2022Oscar-Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay): winner
  • 2014Writers Guild Awards-Documentary Screenplay: winner
  • 2013Directors Guild of America Awards-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary: nominated
  • 2013Canadian Screen Awards-Ted Rogers Best Feature Length Documentary Award: winner
  • 2012Detroit Film Critics Society-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 2012Detroit Film Critics Society-Best Director: nominated
  • 2007San Francisco Film Critics Circle-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
  • 2007Detroit Film Critics Society-Best Newcomer: nominated
  • 2007Chicago Film Critics Association-Most Promising Director: nominated
  • 2007Alliance of Women Film Journalists-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
  • 2007New York Film Critics Online-Best Debut As Director: winner
  • 2007Toronto Film Critics Association-Best First Film: winner
  • 2007Phoenix Film Critics Association-Breakthrough Behind the Camera: winner
  • 2007Ohio Film Critics-Breakthrough Film Artist: winner
  • 2007Los Angeles Film Critics Association-New Generation Award: winner
  • 2007Golden Satellite Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2007Golden Satellite Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2007Oscar-Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay): nominated
  • 2007Genie Awards-Claude Jutra Award for Direction of a First Feature Film: winner
  • 2007Genie Awards-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
  • 2007Genie Awards-Best Achievement in Direction: winner
  • 2003Genie Awards-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: winner
  • 2002Genie Awards-Best Live Action Short Drama: winner
  • 2001Genie Awards-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2000Independent Spirit Awards-Best Supporting Female: nominated
  • 1997Toronto Film Critics Association-Best Actress - Runner-up: winner
  • 1997Genie Awards-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1997Genie Awards-Best Achievement in Music - Original Song: nominated

Relationships